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A man who was caught with heroin and crack cocaine in August 2017 has been jailed for two-and-half years.

Jack Barton, aged 25, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court having previously pleading guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, namely heroin and crack cocaine.

Prosecutor Kelly Scrivener told the court police had entered a flat in Melbourne Street, Stonehouse at around 9am on August 7, 2017. Inside the property they found Barton, of St Stevens Road, Plymton, who was in possession of £530 worth of heroin and £80 in cash. In addition officers found on the bed a bag of crack cocaine worth £1,250 which was split in to what was described as 72 street deals.

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A mobile phone was seized from Barton which showed evidence of drugs being supplied to users just the day before.

Heroin generic (Image: File image)

Barton initially offered a no comment interview at Charles Cross police station but pleaded guilty at the next court hearing.

The court heard Barton had a long list of previous convictions dating back to 2008, including criminal damage, assault, battery, failing to comply with a community order, common assault, harassment and possession of a class B drug.

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It was also noted how Barton was in breach of a 16 week jail sentence, suspended for two years on February 22, 2016.

Jack Barton (Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)

In mitigation, his advocate Ali Rafati noted how the case had taken "a long time to come to court" during which Barton had not committed any other offences.

He said Barton "not the same person arrested by police" in 2017 and had being going through a "difficult time". He noted that Barton suffered attention-deficit disorder - now known as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder - and after losing his job "found himself in dire straits".

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Mr Rafati claimed Barton had "pressure" put on him and because he was in desperate need of money undertook the offence. He said Barton was told to respond "no comment" under his solicitor's advice when being interviewed by police, but wanted to offer a guilty plea as soon as he appeared in court.

Crack cocaine

Judge James Townsend said he had to give credit to Barton for his early guilty plea and noted a Probation report which stated how Barton was trying to maintain contact with his daughters and had not committed any further offences since August 2017.

He ordered Barton to serve a sentcece of two years and six months for the two drug offences, adding a further month for the breach of his suspended sentence, totalling 31 months. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £170.